“Oh no, I retained it,” said Schinkel with his eyes more than ever like invisible points. “Then hadn’t you better give it to me?” “We’ll talk of that—we’ll talk.” Schinkel made no motion to satisfy him; having his hands in the pockets of his trousers and an appearance marked by the exasperating assumption that they had the whole night before them. As one of the “dangerous” he was too intolerably for order. “Why should we talk? Haven’t you talked enough with those people all the evening? What have they to say about it? What right have you to detain a letter that belongs to me?” “_Erlauben Sie_: I’ll light my pipe,” the German simply returned. And he proceeded to this business methodically, while Hyacinth’s pale, excited face showed in the glow of the match that ignited on the rusty railing beside them. “It isn’t yours unless I’ve given it you,” Schinkel went on as they walked along. “Be patient and I’ll tell you,” he added, passing his hand into his comrade’s arm. “Your way, not so? We’ll go down toward the Park.” Hyacinth tried to be patient and listened with interest when Schinkel added: “She tried to take it; she attacked me with her hands. But that wasn’t what I went for, to give it up.” “Is she mad? I don’t recognise them”—and Hyacinth spoke as one scandalised. “No, but they lofe you.” “Why then do they try to disgrace me?” “They think it no disgrace if you’ve changed.” “That’s very well for her; but it’s pitiful for him, and I declare it surprises me.” “Oh _he_ came round—he helped me to resist. He pulled his wife off. It was the first shock,” said Schinkel. “You oughtn’t to have shocked them, my dear fellow,” Hyacinth pronounced. “I was shocked myself—I couldn’t help it.” “Lord, how shaky you all are!” He was more and more aware now of all the superiority still left him to cling to. “You take it well. I’m very sorry. But it is a fine chance,” Schinkel went on, smoking away. His pipe seemed for the moment to absorb him, so that after a silence Hyacinth resumed: “Be so good as to remember that all this while I don’t in the least understand what you’re talking about.”